Piano Players New York City

A Little About Arnie Himself

Arnie at a Manhattan Holiday Party

For piano players in New York City, Arnie Abrams should immediately come to mind. This Manhattan pianist began playing the piano when he was about 5 years old. There was always a piano in the house since his father was a fine pianist, originally from the Bronx, and played every day of his life.

Arnie’s dad, Howard Abrams, who was a self-taught piano player, played exclusively by ear, and knew literally thousands of songs. Arnie inherited his dad’s passion, style, and much of his repertoire, and is what he is known for in the area today. He is also known for his talented ear for picking up songs incredibly quickly and playing them after just hearing them a few times on the radio.

Arnie at the Waldorf

Arnie performs with a particular style he first learned from his pianist father called the Harlem Stride piano style. Notable stride pianists were Fats Waller, Thelonius Monk, and Willie “The Lion” Smith. Stride is kind of a combination of ragtime, jazz, and swing, and is considered pretty high energy by most accounts. Arnie picked this up quickly since his father played almost every day and the sound and style resonated throughout the house growing up.

Having studied classical and jazz piano in Connecticut and later in Buffalo, New York, Arnie’s musical specialty is the Great American Song Book and all of those terrific standards, which were the most wonderful songs that were so popular during his father’s musical era. And since he grew up in the 70’s, Arnie really enjoys performing the folk and classic rock numbers of this era as well.

Combining his classically-trained technique with the style, enthusiasm and “heart” that his father passed on to him, the end result is this New York piano player’s gift for performing many of the most popular tunes produced over the past century.

Piano players New York City Arnie at the Manhattan Bar Association Holiday Party

A Musician Growing Up in the ’70’s & ’80’s

Having grown up in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, so many of Arnie’s favorite artists are from that period, including terrific piano players like Billy Joel and Elton John, as well as great artists like Harry Chapin, James Taylor, Eagles, Chicago, Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand, Steely Dan, Phil Collins, Whitney Houston, Paul McCartney, The Beatles, Carole King, Simon and Garfunkel, and Dan Fogelberg, just to name a few.

Arnie in heaven on the Yamaha C7 for a Long Island wedding

Arnie’s musical versatility is the cornerstone of his talent, and as one of the most popular piano players in New York City, he offers musical options to everyone. His influences include those wonderful artists and performers mentioned, as well as the great styles and songs performed by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, Perry Como, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Nat King Cole, and George Gershwin.

Arnie at a Manhattan Fund Raiser

His love for the classics also shines through when he plays selections by Chopin and Beethoven. Among Arnie’s favorite songs are those by Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, big band & swing era performers, as well as the more contemporary artists performing those great American classics like Michael Feinstein, Harry Connick, Jr. and Michael Bublé.

Performing throughout Manhattan and the entire metro New York area, Arnie Abrams has a love for Broadway show tunes, especially those of Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Cabaret, and many of the classic show tunes of the 40’s, 50’s & 60’s, like My Fair Lady, Camelot, Fiddler on the Roof, Paint Your Wagon, West Side Story, Oklahoma, South Pacific, The King & I, and The Sound of Music.

Live Piano Music in Manhattan for Most Any Celebration

Arnie Abrams will add musical magic and capture the essence of your private or corporate event with his expressive and energetic live piano entertainment.

As one of the area’s finest piano players in New York City, and serving the 5 boroughs, Arnie performs live piano music for weddings, ceremonies, cocktail hours, engagement parties, bridal & baby showers, receptions, corporate events, birthday, anniversary and retirement parties, baptisms, christenings, sing-alongs, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, holiday celebrations and most any special occasion. Arnie’s popular musical repertoire is wonderful for most any affair and makes him easily adaptable to most any private or corporate event.

Arnie can use your piano or provide his own professional portable keyboard and sound system for small, intimate gatherings, or larger venues. He also has several sound systems to cater to your individual needs.

NYC pianist Arnie Abrams brings his entire musical repertoire to your doorstep, and his musical versatility and talent to your event whenever you book him. So if you need a Manhattan piano player, you have found him. Contact Arnie Abrams today online at Arnie@ManhattanPianist.com or by phone at (917) 716-2419.

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